New cases slow in NYC Legionnaires’ disease outbreak; Met museum among buildings with positive tests

NEW YORK — A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in a New York City neighborhood now counts 60 cases, but new diagnoses are slowing, health officials said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in a New York City neighborhood now counts 60 cases, but new diagnoses are slowing, health officials said Tuesday. They reported progress on inspections for the disease-causing bacteria — finding traces in dozens of buildings including the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art — but still haven’t pinpointed a source.

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No one has died in the outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, but 49 patients have required hospitalization, though 34 so far have gone home, city Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin said. City data show two new cases were diagnosed from samples taken Sunday and Monday, compared to as many as 11 per day from earlier samples.

“All of these things together paint an encouraging sign,” Martin said at a virtual news briefing.